Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for early copies of the audiobook and ebook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Just Some Stupid Love Story put such a smile on my face while listening to it! It’s a second chance romance with a grump/sunshine, but with the female as the grump. And yet she’s a romcom screenwriter and he’s a divorce attorney! The book starts at their fifteenth high school reunion and covers the five years before the next reunion. I have not attended any high school reunions, but the prep school they attended has quite lavish events, making them almost wedding-like.
I thought the book was really well done - I did a mix of listening and reading it, and it may have felt a little on the long side if I were just reading the ebook. Written in dual POV, both Christine Lakin and Tim Paige did an excellent job with the narration. There are a number of really funny scenes, and one extra steamy scene stands out. I found myself identifying with the main character Molly in probably a few too many ways 🤣The state of Florida takes some hits, as it’s where the main characters and the author grew up, but I thoroughly enjoyed laughing along.

Wow. This was such a good duet audiobook. The description may say for Emily Henry fans, but I honestly enjoyed this one more than any Emily Henry book to date.

Some of the reviews said this book is long. Yes, it is long, but it is because the character growth that Molly goes through is incredible. Molly’s journey to becoming the woman that deserves Seth is why I loved this book so much.

I wanted to sob, swoon, and then smile throughout this book. It made me feel ALLLLL the feels.

Thank you so much to the author and Netgallery for this ARC of the audiobook.

This was a good audiobook. It was cute, funny, spicy and entertaining. The narration was well done and easy to follow. I did think there was some pacing problems however. Some parts seemed to drawn on, while others happened too fast. I did a review post for this (along with another arc) on my Bookstagram that I have linked down below.

I'm still absolutely giddy after reading this one! Ummm I am in love with Seth. His confidence and quirky personality are just so attractive. Also, the fact that he's a hopeless romantic just checks all my boxes. Molly, on the other hand, is just so hard to like with all her anxieties. I read this one very quickly and loved it! The audiobook was absolutely wonderful! Great narrators for each of the main characters!! Overall, I loved it!!

*Thank you partner @flatiron_books and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a sexy, witty, romcom. The play on enemies to lovers trope, with lovers, to enemies, to a whirlwind of hookup, to friends, to lovers felt so realistic and was intriguing. The story spanning over 5 years was done well, and felt realistic. The complexities of each character felt genuine, while also balancing well with the comedy.

I loved the sarcasm of both main characters, and the clever banter between them. I especially loved with chemistry, attraction, and sexy scenes.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It had two narrators who did an excellent job. I listened at 1.75x speed (with 1.75-2x speed being my normal audiobook listening speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook copy.

Story: 4
Female Narrator: 5
Male Narrator: 5
I am becoming a huge Tim Paige fan! Both of the narrators were lovely in this.

I am a sucker for a great love story, so I was "all in" for wanting to love this one. The story, overall, was a little too cynical for my taste in romance, but it does have a HEA. The character build was really good but it wrapped up and issues were resolved too quickly for me. Gah, Seth Rubinstein is just the teddy bear I needed for this journey.

Thank you for the audio file, this is my honest opinion.
#MacAudio2024

Just Some Stupid Love Story, a debut rom-com by Katelyn Doyle, is a fun summer read with great banter.

Molly Marks is Hollywood Rom-com screenwriter that doesn’t believe in love. Seth Rubinstein is a Chicago based divorce attorney, who rushes into relationships trying to find “the one”. Fifteen years ago, Molly and Seth were high school sweethearts until Molly abruptly ended things, never seeing each other or speaking to each other again until they wind up in Florida seated at the same table at their fifteen-year high school reunion. After a drunken hook-up, the two make at bet of who can predict the fate of five couples in their class by their twentieth reunion, with the fifth couple being them, to determine who is right about true love.

While this book had me chuckling out loud, it also had me feeling the frustration and heartbreak the characters were experiencing. By the end of the book, I was eagerly waiting to see how Molly and Seth would get their happy ending.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. Both did an excellent job, and nicely complemented each other. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.

Some tropes include reverse grumpy-sunshine and second chance romance. There is some spice, so if listening to the audiobook beware of your surroundings if not listening with headphones.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for honest review.

As someone who is, generally, an Emily Henry fan (see publisher's blurb), a rom-com fan (books, television, and movies), and a great believer in romantic love (my partner and I are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year), I was truly disappointed in—even, at times, put off by—this book. The publisher's blurb described Just Some Stupid Love Story in such a way that I was expecting to absolutely love this book—the premise of the story was so appealing to me.

I was not a fan of Molly's, and I was mystified by both the torch Seth carried for her and his present-day attraction. Why did he stick with her?

Sex appears early in the book, around the 10% mark. As my longtime followers know, I'm not a fan of characters falling into bed (or sex anywhere else) early in a book—I like a relationship to develop. Admittedly this book is different in that the main characters dated as teens. Slightly before the halfway mark, there is explicit sexting. Around 84%, there is cringeworthy, demeaning, sexist language. I was already not loving the story, and this turned me off completely. F-bombs are dropped liberally.

The story includes general references to both the COVID-19 pandemic and global warming. I thought both were well-handled. Neither seemed out of place or intruded upon the story.

The audiobook is narrated by Christine Lakin and Tim Paige. Lakin has narrated quite a few other books I've read, including several by some of my favorite authors—Abby Jimenez, Michael Connelly, and Allen Eskens. I'm not as familiar with Paige, though he has narrated at least one other book that I've read with my ears. In this book, he created both male and female voices, with ages ranging from child to elderly.

As always, your mileage may vary. I'm thankful that so many creative authors work so very hard to provide entertainment for us!

This unbiased review is based on an audio ARC supplied by the publisher—Macmillan Audio from Flatiron Books. Publication is expected June 4. [2.5⭐]

4/5 stars

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

SYNOPSIS -- Molly Marks makes her living off of love, despite not believing in it. As a Hollywood rom-com screenwriter, she's the last person you would expect to be a cynic, but a cynic she is. When she runs into her hopeless romantic ex-boyfriend, Seth, at a high school reunion, leading to a drunken hookup, she's surprised to learn that he still carries a torch for her, all while being one of Chicago's most successful divorce attorneys. After disagreeing about love they make a bet: who can predict the fate of five couples from their graduating class, including the two of them? Seth is convinced Molly will fall back in love with him, all while Molly is adamant that love isn't real. Whoever is right about this, must be right about love as a whole, right?

This was a great romance! I loved the plot, though after having read the Rom-commers it did seem a bit similar, so I'm glad I read this first! Molly was equal parts relatable and infuriating at times, but I loved her. Seth was so sweet and teetering into too corny but, again, I adored him. There was a lot of chase to this story, with massive time jumps that led to some confusion for me, but I thought it was unique and interesting. There wasn't a ton of spice, but what was there was 10/10!!!! The phone scene?!?! IYKYK. Overall this book had a super cute plot with really great supporting characters. There was some satisfying character development and growth throughout that added to the depth of the book as a whole. I really enjoyed listening to this one, though I'm not sure it will stand out with time. Despite that, it was cute and fun and I would recommend!

atelyn Doyle's Just Some Stupid Love Story is anything but stupid—it's an absolute gem that had me hooked from the first page to the last! This book is a beautiful tapestry of love, humor, and raw emotion that leaves an indelible mark on your heart.

From the moment I picked up this novel, I was transported into the vibrant, messy, and utterly charming world that Doyle has crafted with such skill. The characters are wonderfully flawed and real, making them incredibly relatable and endearing. I found myself cheering for them, laughing with them, and feeling their pain as if they were my own friends.

The protagonist’s journey through the ups and downs of love is portrayed with such authenticity and warmth. Doyle masterfully captures the nuances of relationships, from the exhilarating highs to the heart-wrenching lows. The dialogue is witty and natural, the plot is engaging and unpredictable, and the emotional depth is astounding.

What I loved most about this book is its perfect blend of humor and heart. Doyle's writing is infused with a delightful sense of humor that had me chuckling throughout, yet she doesn't shy away from exploring the deeper, more poignant aspects of love and life. This balance makes the story not only entertaining but also profoundly touching.

The narrative is peppered with moments of introspection that resonate deeply, making you reflect on your own experiences and relationships. Doyle's ability to evoke such a wide range of emotions is a testament to her talent as a storyteller.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a reminder that love, in all its messy, complicated glory, is worth every struggle and heartache. It's a celebration of love's imperfections and the beauty that lies within them. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-told love story with substance and soul.

Katelyn Doyle has truly outdone herself with this novel. I can't recommend it highly enough—it's a heartfelt, hilarious, and unforgettable journey that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Five stars, without a doubt!

Thank you, NetGalley and Katelyn Doyle for the ARC read.
***All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine only***

This was a pretty good debut novel and was definitely spicy (if listening to audiobook, make sure you are in a "safe space"). This may be an unpopular opinion but I really struggled with Seth being so lovesick the whole time and Molly being so destructive- with herself and with love in general. I found myself feeling so sorry for Seth and also wanting to smack some sense into him. I really didn't like Molly at all throughout the book. I will say that she had some decent self discovery and growth but I was so turned off by her demeanor that I couldn't like her in the end. I also felt like this book really dragged on. I ended up speeding up the audio pretty significantly just to get through it.
Overall, not my favorite but not bad for a debut.

✨ Just Some Stupid Love Story ✨

I love the premise of this book! Molly and Seth are high school sweethearts who break each other's hearts at graduation and then bump into each other at a high school reunion. She's a romcom screenwriter who doesn't believe in love and he's a divorce attorney who is also a hopeless romantic. They place bets on whether five couples will be together at their next high school reunion and go about their lives. Over the next years, they continually cross paths and cannot help but be drawn back together.

Molly and Seth just couldn't catch a break with their timing!! I wanted to scream at one point when they were so close to being together, but it just didn't work out. It was a little slow for me in the middle, but the ending was worth all the waiting, wondering and frustration. I loved these two together (especially Molly being the grumpy) and also appreciated reading about the Covid 19 lockdown.

✨ Grumpy x Sunshine (she's the grump)
✨ Second Chance
✨ Missed Timing
✨ Dual POV
✨ Covid-19 Lockdown

📚 Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🎧 Audio: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥Spice Rating: ❤️

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! I especially appreciated the female narrator.

Thank you so much to Katelyn Doyle and Macmillan Audio for this gifted audiobook.

Spice Rating
🤍 clean romance
💗 closed door/ fade to black
❤️ sexual content (a few detailed scenes)
❤️‍🔥 explicit, play-by-play (major part of the plot)
🖤 graphic, more than vanilla

Rating: 5/5 Stars
•
What a debut! I absolutely devoured this book and loved every single second of it. Molly doesn’t believe in soulmates but Seth does so they make a bet at their high school reunion. While the bet may be a bit in poor taste IYKYK, I really did enjoy seeing who was right in each scenario. Molly and Seth have a chemistry that absolutely radiates off the pages.
•
It was the perfect second chance romance. This story was an adventure and I loved following along with their story. The characters feel so raw and real. There were times I laughed hysterically at the banter, that my heart broke with different characters and I swooned big time over so many of the situations Seth and Molly were in.
•
The pacing was perfect, and like I said, I devoured this one. I listened to it on audiobook. The dual narration of Christine Lakin and Tim Paige was incredible. I loved having both characters thought processes. Christine and Tim complemented one another well. While those bright purple sprayed edges on the book are a huge turn on - I highly recommend the audiobook.
•
Just Some Stupid Love Story releases tomorrow June 4th. It is going to be the perfect romcom for the summer. This was an amazing debut and I look forward to reading what Doyle puts out next! Don’t miss out on this one. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Katelyn Doyle and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Just Some Stupid Love Story tells the tale of Molly and Seth - high school sweethearts, turned exes, turned complicated adults - who after reuniting at their high school reunion, question if they have a place in each other’s lives as adults. Molly is a cynical, divorced parent traumatized, rom com screenwriter. Seth is a hopelessly optimistic and tragically devoted divorce attorney. They make a bet to see which view on love is more accurate. Their differences have driven them apart in the past, the question is, can they be in the right place at the right time to make it work now?

Okay, so let me start by saying I have very mixed emotions about this book. Firstly, the banter was great and I could feel the chemistry between Molly and Seth in my bones. I enjoyed watching them figure it out, and they felt very real (read: definitely flawed) to me. The side stories that were happening all felt very connected to Molly and Seth’s character development, and I enjoyed the other characters in the story!

However, their story is set over Covid and that is just not my favorite thing! My other gripe is that Seth called Molly “kid” and I absolutely hated that lol

The vibe overall was kind of melancholy, but I kind of love that in a book, I can’t lie!! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book for fans of that kinda sad, definitely feels like people you know in real like that you want to yell at for not seeing something really obvious, witty and a little cringe type vibe!!

I listened to the audiobook of Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle and will admit that when I first started this story, the voice of Seth, narrated by Tim Paige, just didn't seem right to me. He came across as a bit winey and annoying, however once I gave him a chance I got used to him. However, that is the main reason this rating was a 4 star and not 5.

Molly Marks and Seth Rubinstein were high school sweethearts until Molly ghosted him on the eve of their graduation and hasn't seen him since. Now they are back at their 15th reunion and forced to sit at the same table. Molly writes rom-coms for a living but thinks love is overrated, and Seth is a divorce attorney who wants to fall in love so bad he is trying to rush his relationships just to get to "the one". At the reunion, after a few too many drinks, they make a bet that whomever can predict the fate of five couples must declare that the other is right about true love. However, one of those couples is them.

Funny, sexy and very relatable, this story will have you hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked that this was a grumpy sunshine with the FMC being the grumpy. I also liked that this was a dual POV and two different narrators in the audiobook. I also enjoyed that this love story was over several years. I feel like both Molly and Seth were well thought out characters even tho at times I get did get a little annoyed with Molly, I know she is supposed to not believe in love and cynical but at times she felt a little over the top. The spice was good, and didn’t take over the whole story. I felt that I related to Seth being the hopeless romantic that I am. The middle did feel a little slow at times, but I still did enjoy the overall story.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy, receipt of which did not impact my review. #MacAudio2024
Just Some Stupid Love Story showcases an unlikely romance between rom-com screenwriter and cynic, Molly Marks, and happy go lucky divorce lawyer, Seth Rubinstein, who reconnect at their 15-year high school reunion. Their romance does not take the typical route, however, which was refreshing - and the story takes place over five years (until year 20). This had a surprising heat level and excellent banter that was fun to listen to while driving during my usual commute. Narrators Christine Lakin (who I recall from her younger acting days) and Tim Paige (a narrator I've enjoyed in the past) were amazing in their roles and really brought Molly and Seth to life. I highly recommend this one!

I loved this story! It made me laugh and swoon and also had great angst that made me sad and want to cry. I love how real it felt. These narrators are fantastic.

THIS BOOK! Okay this book was amazing. It was relatable and funny and heartwarming. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love this book and would recommend it for everyone.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.25)

Molly Marks, a cynical rom-com writer, reunites with her high school ex, Seth Rubinstein, a love-believing divorce attorney, at their fifteenth reunion. After a drunken bet, they agree to predict the fate of five couples in five years, with the catch that they are the fifth couple. Molly doubts love, while Seth is determined to prove her wrong.

The premise of this book is so good!! I laughed out loud when I saw all the reverse tropes In that regard, the book did live up to my expectations. The set-up created a lot of anticipation and I really felt for Seth as he pinned for his happily-ever-after. I didn’t connect with Molly as much and found it hard to root for them together. Usually I just deal with the 3rd act breakup (it’s often actually needed to make the story whole and feel complete), but this 3rd act breakup had me thinking he shouldn’t have taken her back.

Both narrators did a good job representing their characters! I only listened to the audiobook, but I think it’s the best format to choose if you’d like to read this book.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ALC 🧡#MacAudio2024 #netgalley @netgalley

Perfect for you if you like:
Characters with opposing views on love
Stories of high school second chances
Bets and challenges in romantic plots
Character growth + wit/humor

Similar to:
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
A Little Magic by Lindsey Lanza (Holiday)

⛔️chapters 8, 22 & 28 explicit romance chapters (open-door)
⚠️explicit language, part of the story takes place during covid, previous parental abandonment, mentions of divorce trauma, suggestive language throughout